Ludlow School Committee Reviews $1.1 Million FY27 Budget Gap

School Committee · Meeting of January 13, 2026

Ludlow School Committee reviews $1.1 million FY27 budget gap amid transportation dispute. Superintendent Tiano and the district's business manager, identified only as Mickey, presented a level-service budget showing a $1.09 million shortfall against an assumed 2 percent town revenue increase, driven partly by an estimated 18 percent rise in health insurance costs. "It's cost-driven, not decision-driven," Mickey said of the assumption.

Separately, officials said the district's bus drivers' union has filed a grievance with the state Division of Labor Relations against the Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative after two routes required a private backup vendor this year. Search committee chair Dr. Stratton reported applications for the district's next superintendent are due January 30, with finalists expected by February 27.

No budget vote was taken; the committee's next budget subcommittee meets February 3, with a public hearing set for February 10.

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Source: the School Committee meeting of January 13, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.